Antoine T. Clark, artistic and music director, founded the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra in 2013 to support local artists while providing diverse and dynamic programming that entertains, inspires, and fosters music education. The MACCO performs concerts throughout the year, the next of which is a virtual concert, Folk Impressions, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 at 3 p.m. We caught up with Antoine to learn a little more about him.
Kati: Who inspired you to pursue music?
Antoine: My father was a gospel, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll guitarist, and he inspired me to pursue music.
Kati: What’s on your playlist when you are jamming out?
Antoine: My non-classical playlist includes music by Stevie Wonder and Rufus Wainwright.
Kati: What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Antoine: My favorite guilty pleasure is watching sci-fi and horror movies.
Kati: Who would you like to have dinner with dead or alive?
Antoine: Presently, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I admire her work on social justice, and I love that she was a lover of opera.
Kati: What’s the best thing about the Columbus art scene right now?
Antoine: The best thing about the Columbus art scene right now is the community’s unwavering commitment to stay connected to art lovers during the pandemic.
Artistic and Music Director of MACCO.
Kati: How have you stayed connected to the arts during the past few months?
Antoine: I have remained connected to the arts by ensuring that my students and colleagues have safe opportunities to make music.
Kati: What is the best comfort food?
Antoine: My favorite comfort food is Indian cuisine.
Kati: What is your proudest moment as an artist?
Antoine: One of my proudest moments as an artist was when I was appointed as assistant conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta, a forward-leaning and dynamic orchestra that promotes music as an agent for equity and inclusion.
Kati: If you could snap your fingers and visit anywhere in the world where would you go right now?
Antoine: I’d love to visit the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna.
Kati: What is something you wish more people knew about in Columbus?
Antoine: During the pandemic, I took up bicycling, and I discovered Columbus’ Olentangy Bike Trail.
Learn more about Antoine T. Clark at antoinetclark.com. Tune in on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. to see Clark conducting the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra in a virtual concert, Folk Impressions. Tickets are available at mcconnellarts.org/folk-impressions.
Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.
